Apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material.



O. JOHNSON,'DEGD. N. JOHIISON, ADMIEIISTRATRIX. APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING, TRANSPORTING, AND DISGHARGING MATE RIAL.

Patented May 30, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

f fif fi 7"7'0 APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15, 1909.

L a 4 /1,z, 0Z1

QQQQQUQD W; 7" NE G. JOHNSON, DBOIL N. JOHNSON. ADHINISTRATRIX. APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING, TRANSPORTING, AND DISUHARGING MATERIAL.

APPLIOATION FILED 19.11.15. 1909.

Patented May 30, 1911 3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

QM QA 0. JOHNSON, DEGD'. N. JOHNSON ADMINISTBATRIX APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING, TRANSPOB-TING, AND DISCHAR GING MATERIAL.

Patented May 30, 1911. 3 SHEBTSSHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED 3111.15, 1909.

, tenn sr l a rnnr @FhlltlE-t nirzomnn JOHNSON, or MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, nnmnrsranrnlx or O'LE JOHNSQN, esonesnp.

APPARATUS FOR ELEVATIN'G, TRANSPORTI'NG, AND DISGHARGING MATERIAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3%. itfiti.

, Application filed January 15, 1999. Serial No. 4753,40!

paratus for Elevating, Transporting, and- Discliarging Material, of which the following is 'a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

his invention hasrelation to improvements in apparatus for elevatin transporting and discharging material, and more particularly to that class of apparatus in which the power operating medium is carried directly on the carriage.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a construction whereby a plurality of carriages carrying material holding receptacles are adapted to travel to and fro on the same track independently of each other or jointly, thereby increasing the capacity of an apparatus of given size.

A further object oi the invention is to provide a construction in'which the material holding receptacles are independently counterbalanced with counterweights.

it still further object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the material holding receptacles are counterbalanced by means of counterweights acting on both the hoisting; cables and on the ceptaclc opening cables whereby either cable may be relieved of the effects of the counterweignt while the other cable is performing its function. Another advantage derived from this construction is that the size and weight oi the counterweights are reduced to the minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the movement of the cables "for raising and lowering the material holding receptacles is con trolied both electrically and nonelectrically.

il ith the above, and other objects in view, the 1nvent1on consists oi" the apparatus and its parts, and all equivalents thereof, hereinatter more fully set forth.

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deterring to the oiawings in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of thewiews; Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the complete apparatus embodying the improvements, a'medial portion removed to reduce its'length; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the cables of the apparatus and the pulleys and drtims in connection therewith; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cable system shown in connection with the pulleys, drums, counterweights and material holding receptacles; Fig. 4: is an enlarged side view of one of the carriages; Fig. 5 is an end view of one of the carriages, parts broken away and other parts in section; Fig. 6 is a plan view of one oi the carriages; Fig. 7 is an end view of one of the carriage motors with a magnetically operated brake connected thereto, the solenoid being in section; Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the material holding receptacle showing the path of the cable in connection therewith; and, Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a modified torm of cable system.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the bridge which is supported on piers 11 and 12 provided with wheels 13 adapted to travel onthe rails of the track 14:. The bridge is provided with hinged booms 15 on both ends for convenience in loading or unloading material from boa ts alongside of docks on which the apparatus is located. The bridge, piers and booms are formed of structural metal in the ordinary way and may be. of any simple, length or height desired. The booms 15 may be swung upwardly by means of the adjusting cables 16 in order to avoid obstructions in the path of movement of the booms when in their I tioned channel irons 17 forming part of the bridge and piers and also serving rails or a trackway for carriages 18 to travel thereon. These carriages, which aresnnilar in construction with the exception that they are reversed endwise, are provided with cabs 19 depending therefrom and conta ning electric controllers 20 for controlling motors 21 positioned on the frames of the carriages. The motors are supplied with current by means of the trolley poles 22 traveling on the trolley wire 23 positioned above and extending parallel with the channel? iron tracks. Each carriage is-provided with four motors, two otwhich, indicated by the numerals 24 and 25 are adapted to propel-the carriage on the bridge track and the other two are for operating the material holding receptacle cables. Axles 26 extending transversely of each carriage frame and connected thereto are provided with wheels which travel on the channel iron tracks of the bridge. These axles have mounted thereon large gears 27 which mesh with pinions 28 mounted on. the shafts of the propelling motors and are driven thereby to propel the carriage. The two propelling motors are both controlled by means of the electric controller 29 in the cab 19. The motor 24 is provided with a brake 30 which is connected to and operated by a foot lever 31 located within the cab, so that the operator within the cab has complete control of the travel, and the starting and stopping of the carriage by means of the'controller and the foot operated brake. The two motors 32 and 33 are provided with pinions 34 and 35 meshing with gears 36 and 37 to which. rope or cable winding drums 38 and 39 respectively are connected. These drums are mounted on shafts 40 and 41 having bearings depending from the carriage frame 18.

The motors 32 and 33 are each provided with brakes 42 and 43 which are electromagnetically' operated by means of solenoids 44 and 45, the cores of which areconnected to brake levers 46 and 47. In these solenoidoperated brakes, which are of ordinary construction, the brakesare normally in an on position with the braking eilect applied to the motors when the motors are not energized thus automatically preventing the retrograde movement of the drums when current is shut off from the motors, and the solenoids are adapted to release the brakes when the current is supplied to the motors and the solenoids. The degree of the brake release depends upon theregulation of the current supplied by the controllers 48 and 49 within the cage. The controllers 48 and 49 are also adapted to reverse the direction 10f rotation of the motors 32 and 33.

to the motors and the solenoids, and to ac-- It is desirable and economical at'times to permit the rotation of the drums by the gravity of the load suspended therefrom complish this result levers 50 and 51 pivotally connected to the carriage and having inner bifurcated ends which engage the outer ends of the brake levers 46 and 47 are provided. The outer ends of these levers are connected by means of rods 52 and 53 ,to foot operated levers 54 and 55 located within the cab 19. By the'provision-of the bifurcated ends of the levers the brake levers are free to be drawn upwardly by the cores of the solenoids without any movement being imparted to the foot operated levers, and when it is desired to release the brakes manually a simple pressure of the foot levcrs will lift the brake levers and release the motor arniatures from the brake effect and the armatures will run idle and permit the rotation of the drums and the lowering of the load by gravity at a speed depending upon the extent to which the motors are relieved of the brake effect. The solenoids are provided with springs 56 which assist in holding the brakes in the normal full on position.

Each carriage'is provided with an idle pulley 57 which is adapted to support and guide the cable. which passes therethrough and is connected to the other carriage.

Referring now to the rope or cable system which is one of the important and novel "features whereby both carriages are enabled to travel back and forth on the same track and by which the effect of the counterweight may be transferred from one cable to another or to both cables of the same carriage,

the numeral 58 indicates the grabs or material holding receptacles, which are in this case clam shell buckets, adapted 'to be suspended from the carriages by the hoisting ends 59 of the cables 60 which are connected to eyes 61 with which the buckets are provided. Each hoisting end 59 of the cables" 60 extends from its respective bucket to thehoisting drums 38 and are wound around said drums a number of times and extend therefrom to and around pulleys 62 mounted on the end of the front boom. 'From these pulleys the cables 60 extend rearwardly at an upward incline and pass beneath and around pulleys 63 mounted on standards forming part of the "bridge. The cables then extend vertically from said pulleys and pass over pulleys 64 and depend downwardly and upwardly in a loop from pulleys 65 and 66 all of which are mounted on the top of said standard. Counterweights 67 provided with pulleys 68 are suspended from the loops in the cables and serve to substantially counterbalance the weight of the buckets. The cables then extend rearwardly from the pulleys 66 to and between guide pulleys 67 mounted on the rear standard of the bridge and around pulleys 68 mounted on the end cables return to their'respective carriages and wind around the bucket opening and closing drums-39. and depend therefrom as bucket opening and closing ropes or cables 69. The depending cables 69 then extend to and around the bucket opening and closing pulleys 7O forming'part of the clam. shell bucket jaw opening mechanism in the ordinary way and are finally connectedto eyes 61 forming part thereof. Each cable in of the rear boom. From these pulleys the .1

bosons passing throughl the carriage other than V the one to which it is conn cted is supported and guided by the pulley 57 as before mentioned.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 9 only one drum is used which is desirable in some cases Where an ordinary bucket is used and it is unnecessary to provide a bucket opening and closing cable. In this modified torn? both ends of a cable 72 are connected to and wound around the drum 73 a number of times and extend back and forth in the direction of the line of travel of the carriage and over guide pulleys and is provided with a counterweight substantially in the same manner as in the principal form. A hoisting cable 74 the ends of which are wound around and connected to the drum 73 depends therefrom in. a. loop which is adapted to support the bucket '75 and by means of the provision of the loop to compensate for unequal strain on the cable caused by unequal Winding of the ends of the cable on the drum.

' In operating the apparatus the carriages ere propelled back and forth on the track by means of the propelling motors mounted on each carriage which receive current from the trolley wire by means of the trolley poles and connections, and are controlled by the operators within the cabs by means of the electric controllers. The loot levers for operating the motor controlling brakes also being located within the cabs, the operators are enabled to control the exact positions which it is desired to stop thecarriages for the purpose of loading or unloading the buckets.

The buckets may be raised or lowered in a closed position by the operation of motors controlling the respective cable drums and when it is desired to open bucket, the hoisting cable is held taut and the opening and closing rope is paidout permitting the jaws of the bucket to open by gravity or the opening and closing cable may be paid out at a faster rate of speed than the hoisting cable in lowering the bucket and the same results obtained By means of the manu'-, ally operated brakes connected to the drum motors, the buckets may be lowered. or opened, or both, without the necessity of providingthe motors with current thus providing a very economically operated apparatus. v

By the provision and novel or n 'nent of the cables passing through the carriage to which each particular two carriages are adapted l back and arth or. the same track 1. they may be. simultaneously t erated on diii erent portions of the track Withoutin wayinterterin r with each other as each cable travels freely through the carriage other than the one to wnich it is connected thus substantially doubling the capacity and expediency of the apparatus at comparatively slight increase in first cost and operating expense. As both cables extend in the direction oi the line of travel of the carriages, the buckets connected to the carriages will be counter' alanced by the counterweights in all positions to which the carriages may be moved unless it is desired to relieve the buckets of such counterbalancing effect. If it is desired to relieve the buckets of the efiect of the counterweights the cables located between the buckets and one of the drums of each carriage are slackened by releasing the brakes and by operating the controllers to reversely turn the motors and the drums and lift the Weights the st air. of the counterweights will then be directly carried by the drums and the buckets will be relieved of the full effects of said counterweights. By means of the novel arrangement of both ends of each cable being connected to a drum it is only necessary to provide counterweights of one half the weight that would be required in a construction in which one end of each cable was connected directly to the carriage instead of the drum, although. in some cases one end of the cable may be so connected.

Both drums being similar in construction and operation itis obvious that the jaw opening and closing means of the buckets may be connected to the cable depending from either drum Without changing the. construction or operation of the apparatus and the same results will be obtained.

It is obvious that one of the carriages and the cables connected thereto may be removed from the bridge and the apparatus used in connection. with single carriage and bucket or that the modified form of construction in which only one carriage provided With a single drum is shown may be used in connection with another single drum carriage and cable connection similar to the principal form without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also obvious that the portions of the cables which depend'jrom the drums and connected to the receptacles may be separate from the cables which extend in the direction oft/he line of travel of the carriages. ln this case, it is only necessary to have the ends of the cables Wound around the drums and be con? nected thereto and the same results will be obtained as it the cables were in one piece.

In. the specification and claims. for convenience. the statement has been used that the countcrweigzhts couutcrbalancc the receptacles. when a matter of fact they only substantially counterbalance said receptacles.

ll hat is clain'ied is:

l. An apparatus for elevating, tansportmg, and dischae l material. comprising a track a carriage provided. with a material holding receptacle adapted to travel on said t "aek, a cable connected to said carriage and extending in the direction of the line of travel of said car 'age, another carriage mounted on said track and provided with a material holding receptacle, and a cable connected to said last mentioned carriage and extending in the direction. of the line of travel of said carriage, both cables extending substantially parallel with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending beyond the carriage other than the one to which it is connected. 7 2. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a carriage provided with a material holding receptacle adapted to travel on said track, a cable connected to said carriage and extending in the direction of the line of travel of said carriage, another carriage mounted on said track and provided with a material holding receptacle, and a cable connected to said last mentioned carriage and extending in the direction of the line of travel of said carriage, both cables extend ing substantially parallel with relation to each other for a certain distance and each table also extending in the direction of the line of tavel of said carriages beyond the carriage other than the one to which it is connected.

3. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a carriage provided. with a material holding receptacle adapted to travel on said track, a cable connected to said carriage and extending in the direction of the line of travel of said carriage, a counterweight associated with said cable, another carriage mounted on said track and provided with a material holding receptacle, a cable connected to. said last mentioned carriage and extending in the direction of the'line of travel of said, carriage, and a counterweight associated with said last mentioned cable, both cables extending substantially parallel with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending beyond the carriage other than the one to which it is connected.

4. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track and provided with material holding receptacles, drums .mounted on the carriages, cables connected to said drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel of said carriages in substantially parallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage other than'the one to which it is connected, and counterweigh'ts associated with the cables to counterbalance the material holding receptacles.

5. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a plurality, of carriages adapted to travel on said track and provided with material holding receptacles, drums mounted on the carriages, cables connected to said receptacles and drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriages in substantially parallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage other than the one towhich it is connected, loops formed in said cables, and counterweights associated with the loops of the cables to counterbalance the material holding receptacles.

(3. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material comprising a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track and provided with material holding receptacles, drums mounted on the carriages, cables connected to said drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel. of said carriages in substantially parallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage other than the one to which it is'connected, counterweights associated with said cables to counterbalance the material holding receptacles, and means for relieving the receptacles of the full effect of said counterweighting means.

7. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track and provided with material holding receptacles, drums mounted on the carriages, cables connected to said receptacles and drums and extending in the direction ofthe line of travel of the car-' riages in substantially parallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage other than the one to which itis connected, loops formed in said cables, counterweights suspended from the loops formed in; said cables to counter balance the material holding receptacles, and means for" relieving the receptacles of the full effect of said counterweighting means.

8. An apparatus. for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising-a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track and provided with material holding receptacles, drums mounted on the carriages,cables connected to said receptacles and drums and extending in the direction ofthe line of travel of the carriages in substantially parallel lines with rela ion to each other for a certain distance and each :able also extending in the same direction be yond the carriage other than the one to which it is connected, loops formed in said cables, counterweights suspended from the loops formed in said cables to counterbalance the material holding receptacles, and means for lessening the eiiect of said counterweighting means on said receptacles.

'9. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track and provided with material holding receptacles, drums mounted on the carria es,lcables connected to said receptacles and drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriages in substantially parallel lines with re lation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage other than the one to which it is connected, guiding means provided on each carriage for guiding the cable connected to the carriage other than the one on which the guiding means is provided, loops formed in said cables, and counterweights associated with the loops of the cables to counterbalance the material holding receptacles.

10. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track and provided with material holding receptacles, drums mounted on the carriages, cables connected to said receptacles and drums and extending in the ,direction of the line of travel of the carriages in substantially parallel lines with re lation to each other for certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage other than the one to which it is connected, a guide roller provided on each carriage for guiding the cable connected to the carriage other than the one on which the guide roller is provided, loops formed in said cables, and countcrweights associated with the loops of the cables to counterbalance the material holding receptacles.

11. An apparatus for elevating, transporting. and discharging material, comprising a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track, material holding recep-' tacles having opening and closing jaws provided for each carriage, drums mounted on each carriage, brakes for retarding the movement of said drums, cables connected to said reccpta cles and wound around said drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel of said carriages in substanriallvparallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond ihe carriage other than the one to which it is connected, loops formed in said cables, counterweights suspended from the loops formed in said cables to counterbalance the material holding receptacles, means for driving said drums in either direction, and controlling means for controlling the move ments of the carriages, the operation of the brakes and the rotation of the drums.

12. An apparatus for elevating, transport ing, and discharging material, comprising a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track, material holding receptacles having opening and closing jaws provided for each carriage, receptacle hoisting drums mounted on the carriages, cables connected to the receptacles and Wound around said drums, opening and closing drums mounted on said receptacles, cables connectedto the opening and closing mecha nism of said receptacles and wound around said opening and closing drums, a cable for each carriage extending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriages and passing around guiding devices at opposite ends.

of the track and wound, one end around the hoisting drum and the other end around the opening and closing drum of each carriage, said cables extending in substantially parallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance, loops formed in said cables, oountervveights suspended from said'loops to counterbalance the receptacles, brakes for retarding the movement of each drum, means for driving said drums in either direction, means for automatically setting the brakes when current is shut ofi' from the motors, and controlling means for controlling the movements of the carriages, the operation of the brakes and the rotation of the drums. 13. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a plurality of carriages adapted to travel on said track, material holding receptacles having opening and closing jaws pro vided for each carriage, receptacle hoisting drums mounted on the carriages cables connected to the receptacles and wound around said drums, opening and closing drums mounted on said carriages, cables connected to the opening and closing mechanism of said receptacles and Wound around said opening and closing drums, a cable for each carriage extending in the direction or" the line of travel of the carriages and passing around guiding devices at op hsite ends of the track and wound, one en around the hoisting drum and the other end around the opening and closing drum of each carriage, said cables extending in substantially parallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage other than the one to which it is connected, a guiding means provided on each carriage for guiding the cable connected to the carriage other than the one on which the guiding means is provided; loops formed in said cables, counterweights suspended from said loops to counterbalance the receptacles, brakes for retarding the movement of eac drum, means for driving said drums in either direction, means for automatically setting the brakes when the current is shut off from the motors, and controlling means for controlling the movements of the carriages, the operation of the brakes and the rotation of the drums.

14. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a carriage provided with a material holding receptacle adapted to travel 011 said track, a drum mounted on said carriage, a

cable connected to said receptacle and wound around said drum, a cable extending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriage and passing around guiding devices at opposite ends of the track and having one end wound on the drum and the other end connected to the carriage, a loop formed in said last mentioned cable, a counterweight suspended from said loop to counterbalance the receptacle, driving means for said drum, a brake connected to the carriage for automatically retarding or preventingretrograde movement of the drum when power supply is diminished or shut off from'the driving means, other means for rendering'the automatic portion of the brake inoperative to permit a retrograde movement of the drum when the power supply is diminished or shut ofi from the driving means, and controlling means available to an operator carried by the carriage forcontrolling the movement of the carriage, the operation of the brake 5 and the driving of the drum.

15. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and dischargin material, comprising a track, a self propel ed carriage adapted to travel on said track, a hoisting drum mount- 40 ed on said carriage, a material holding receptacle provided with jaw opening and closing mechanism, a hoisting cable connected to the receptacle and wound around the hoisting drum, an opening and closing drum mounted on the carriage, a cable connected to the opening and closing mechanism of thereceptacle and wound around the opening and closing drum, a cable having portions thereof wound on both drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel or" the carriage and passing around guiding devices atiopposite ends of the track, a loop formed in said last mentioned cable, a counterweight suspended from said loop to counterbalance the receptacle, driving means for said drums, brakes connected to the carriage for automatically retarding or prc-. venting retrograde movement of the drums when power supply is diminished or shut ed from the driving means, and controlling ,means available to an operator carried by the carnage for controlling the movement of the carriage, the operation of the'brakes,

r the driving of thedrums and the opening and closing of the receptacle jaws.

16. An apparatus for elevating, transport ing, and discharging material, comprising a track, a self propelled carriage adapted to travel on said track, a hoisting drum mounted on said carriage, a material holding receptacle provided with jaw opening and cl0s-' ing mechanism, a hoisting cable connected to the receptacle and wound around the hoisting drum, an opening and closing drum mounted on the carriage, a cable connected to the opening and closing mechanism of the receptacle and wound around the opening and closing drum, a cable having portions thereof wound on both drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriage and passing around guiding devices at opposite ends of the track, a loop formed in said last mentioned cable, a counterweight suspended from said-loop to counterbalance the receptacle, driving means for said drums, a brake connected to the cardrums and the opening and closing of the receptacle jaws.

17 An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging material, comprising a track, a self propelled carriage adapted to travel on said track, a hoisting drum mounted on said carriage, a material holding receptacle provided with jaw opening and closing mechanism, a hoisting cable connected to the receptacle and wound around.

the hoisting drum, an opening and closing drum mounted on the carriage, a cable con nected to the'opening and closing mechanism of the receptacle and wound around the opening and closing drum, a cable hav-.

ing portions thereof wound on both drums and extending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriage and passing around guiding devices at opposite ends of the track, a loop formed in said last mentioned cable, a counterweight suspended from said loop to counterbalance the receptacle, elsetric inotoi's' mounted on the carr1age'for,i-0

tating the drums, brakes'operatively' con- "nected to the shafts of saii l'm'o tors, mag:

netic means for automatically applying the brakes to said motors when the current supply is diminished or shut otflfr'om said motors to retard or prevent'retrograderotm tion of the drums, levers-available to an operator carried by the carriage 'for 'relcas-' ing the brakeswhen said-brakesare-Iauto matically set by the shutting oil of the can 'rent supply, and other controlling means available to said operator for controlling the movement of the carriage, the operation of the brakes and drum motors and-the opening and closing of the receptacle jaws.

1-8. An apparatus for elevating, transporting, and discharging nuiterial, comprising a track, a carriage provided with wheels and shafts adapted to travel on said track, a motor mounted on said carriage and having geared connection with one of the shafts, a brake for said motor, a cab carried by the carriage, a foot lever connected to the ab for operating the brake, acontroller carried by the cab for controlling the motor, transverse shafts provided with gears and mount ed in bearings connected to said carriage, electric motors mounted on said carriage and provided with pinions in mesh with said 'gea-rs, brakes for retarding the rotation of said motors, brake levers for operating said brakes, manually operated levers available to an operator within the cab for moving the brake levers to release the brakes, magnetic means for operating the brake levers independently 'of the manually operated levers to release the brakes, controllers Within the cab for controlling the current to the motors and to the magnetic means, a hoisting drum mounted on one of the t'ansverse shafts, a receptacle provided with 11W opening; and closing;- niechanism, a hoisting cable connected to the receptacle and wound. on said hoisting drum, an opening and closing drum mounted on the other transverse shaft, an opening and closing cable connected to the opening and closing mechanism of the receptacle and wound on the opening and closing drum, :1 cable having portions thereof vvound on both drums and entending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriage and passing around guiding devices at opposite ends of the track, a loop formed in said last mentioned cable. and a counterweight suspended from said loop to counterbalance said receptacle.

19. In an apparatus the class described, the combination with traversii carriages, of hoisting devices suspcndez. therefrom, cables connected to said carriages and ere tending in the direction of the line 01' travel or" said carriages in substantially parallel lines with relation to each other for a certain distance and each cable also extending in the same direction beyond the carriage oth r l'l'llll the one to which. it is connected, and counter-weights associated with said hoisting devices and located at fixed points relatively to the carriages.

20. The combination with a trackxvay, of a traversing cnrnnpie therefor, self-propelling: means for said carriage, means for carrying an attendant thereon, a grab, a rope-winding drum on said carriage, a hoisting rope connected to said grab and said drum, a rope leading to suitable guiding de vices at opposite ends of the trackway and connected, one end to said carriage and the other end to the drum thereon, a counter- 1 Weight suspended on a loop in said rope and acting to assist the Winding in of the grab, an opening and closing rope and its Winding drum on the carriage, driving means for said drums and adapted to become operative or inoperative, means automatically to prevent retrograde movement of said driving means, means for driving said hoisting drum in a reverse direction at will, and controlling 1811115 available to the operator for controlling the traverse oi the carriage, and the said drum driving means.

21. The combination of a trackway, of a traversing carriage, self-propelling means thereon, a grab, a hoisting drum connected to raise or lower said grab, an endless rope connected With the hoisting drum upon said 'arriage while permitting the traversing of the carriage along the, trackvvay, a counterweight associated with said rope and tending to assist the said drum in the raising of said grab, an opening and closing rope, a rope Winding drum upon said carriage, drivingmeans for said drums also thereon and adapted to become operative or inoperative, and means for reversely turning said hoistihg drum to relieve the grab ofthe said counterweight.

The combination With a traversing carriage, of a grab suspended therefrom, an

opening and closing rope for said grab, a hoisting rope therefor, a rope-Winding drum for said hoisting rope upcn said carriage, means for counter'vveighting the grab, and means for lessening the ell'ect of the counter- Weighting means on said grab, While the jaws of the grab are open, and While moving said opening and closin rope to close the jaws of the grab.

23. A hoisting and conveying appar'atus having a traversing carriage, a grab sus pended thereon, a hoisting drum on the can riage, an opening and closing drum also on the carriage, each With its controlling rope or ropes connected to the grab, counteriveighting means for the grab located at a fixed point relatively to the carriage, and means for permitting reversal of the h0istingr drum to positively lift said counterweight.

Zine; hoisting and conveying apparatus having a self-propelling traversing carriage, a grab suspended thereon, a hoisting drum, an opening and closing drum. suitable controlling ropes connecting said drums and the grab, a counterweight associated with thehois'ting drunn and means for reversing-the movement of the latter to elevate "said counterweight.

A hoisting and conveying apparatus having a self-propelling traversing carriage, a grab suspended .thereon, a hoisting drum, an opening and closing drum, suitable controlling ropes connecting said drums and said grab, means for driving said drums together in a given direction, a counterweightoperatively associated with said opening and closing drum, and means for reversing the movement of the hoisting drum to positively raise said counterweight, while continuing the movement of the opening and closing drum.

26. In a hoisting and conveying appara tus, the combination with a self-propelling and traversing carriage, of a grab thereon, means for counterweighting the same, an opening and closing rope, a hoisting rope and means for simultaneously paying out or taking in said ropes, and means for paying out the hoisting rope to the unbalanced grab while the jaws of said grab are in open position, and while taking in the opening and closing rope. i

27. In a hoisting and conveying appara-' tus, the combination with a "traversing carriage, of a grab, counterweighting means therefor, an opening and closing rope, a hoisting rope, means for simultaneously paying out or taking in said ropes, and means also on said carriage for paying out the hoisting rope to the unbalanced grab while the jaws of said grab are in open position, and while taking in the opening and closing rope.

28. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a traversing carriage, of a hoisting device,a'n opening and closing rope leading thereto, a hoisting rope, means for counterweighting said device, and means upon the carriage for lessening the counterweighting effect of the counterweight on the hoisting device, while said hoisting device is in open position, and while taking in said opening and closing rope.

29. In an apparatusof the class described, the combination with a self-propelling traversing carriage, of a hoisting device suspended thereon, an opening and closing rope leadirg thereto, a hoisting rope, means for counterweighting said device, and means for lessening the counterweighting eiiect of the counterweight on the hoisting device, while said hoisting device is in open position, and while taking in said opening and closing rope. I

30. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a traversing carriage,

of a hoisting device, a cable having a looped portion distant from the travel oftho .carriage and fixed with relation thereto and extending in the direction of'the line of travel of the carriage and having both ends con- -nected to the carriage, an operating cable connected to the hoisting device andto the carriage, a hoisting cable connected to the hoisting device and to the carriage, a coun-r terweight suspended in the loop of the cable to counterbalance the weight of the hoist ing device, and power means for operating the cables in either direction simultaneously orseparately to open or close and to raise or lower the hoisting device.

31. In an apparatus of the class described,

of a hoisting device, a cable having a looped portion distant from the travel of the carriage and fixed with relation thereto and extending in the direction of the line of travel of the carriage and-having both ends connected to the carriage, an operating cable connected to the hoisting device and to the I carriage, a hoisting cable connected'to the hoisting device and to the carriage, a counterweight suspended in the loop of the cable to counterbalance the weight of the hoisting device, power means for operating the cables in either direction simultaneously or separately to open or close and to raise .or lower thevhoisting device, and means car ried 'on the carriage for controlling the operation of the cables.

32. A hoisting mechanism movably mounted upon a track, a rope extending along the path of movement of the hoisting mechanism, the ends of the rope connected with the hoisting mechanism, and a counterweight in said rope arranged to assist said hoisting mechanism in lifting a load.

83. A track, a hoisting mechanism movably supported thereon, a rope extending along the track, the ends of said rope connected with the hoist-ing mechanism, a counterweight, and a sheave connected with the counterweight, said counterweight sheave being supported by the rope and arranged to assist said hoisting mechanism in lifting a load.

34. A track, a hoisting mechanism movably supported thereon, said mechanism comprising a hoisting drum, a rope extending along the track, the ends of said rope connected with the hoisting drum, a counterweight for assisting said hoisting mechanism in lifting a load, and a sheave connected with the counterweight, said counterweight sheave being supported by the ropeand so arranged that the lateral movement of the hoisting mechanism does not affect the 'iosition of the counterweight.

A laterally movable hoisting mechanism comprising a pair of hoisting drums, a counterweight outside the path of .movement of said mechanism, and a rope connecting the counterweight and the two hoisting drums.

36. A laterally movable hoisting mechanism comprising a pair of hoisting drums, a counterweight outside the path'of movement of said mechanism, and a rope con-. necting, the two hoisting drums, said counter the combination with a traversing carriage,

eeaooe weight being in a loop in the connecting and a rope connecting the counterweight with the two hoisting drums, said counterweight being in a loop in the connecting rope.

39. A track, a hoisting mechanism movably supported thereon, said mechanism comprising a pairof hoisting drums, a load bearing member, ropes or cables connecting the load bearing member with both of the drums, a counterweight near the end of the track, a sheave connected with the counterweight, and a rope connecting the counter- .weight with the two hoisting drums, said counterweight sheave being in a loop in the connecting rope.

l0. A track, a hoisting mechanism movably supported thereon, said mechanism comprising a pair of hoisting drums and means for actuating the drums, a hoisting bucket, ropes or cables connecting the bucket with both of the drums, a counterweight near the end of the track, and a rope system connecting the counterweight with the hoisting drums, said rope system being so arranged that the lateral movement of the hoisting mechanism does not afiect the position .of the counterweight.

41. A track, a hoisting mechanism movably supported thereon, said mechanism comprising a pair of hoisting drums and means for actuating the. drums, a hoisting bucket, ropes or cables connecting the bucket with both of the drums, a counterweight near the end of the track, a rope system connecting the counterweight with the hoisting mechanism, and means for moving the hoisting mechanism along the track, the rope system being so arranged that the lateral movement of the hoisting mechanism does not aifect the position of the counterweight.

42. A track, a hoisting mechanism movably supported thereon, said mechanism comprising a pair of hoisting drums and motors for actuating the drums, at hoisting bucket, ropes or cables connecting the bucket with both of the drums, a counterweight near the end of the track, a rope system connecting the counterweight with the hoisting drums, and an independent motor for moving the hoisting mechanism along the track, the rope system being so arranged that the lateral movement of the hoisting mechanism does not afiect the position of the counterweight.

In testimony whereof, I affix my-signature, in presence of two witnesses.

NIKOLINE JOHNSON, A dmz'm'stmtm'm of the estate of Ole Johnson,

deceased.

Nitnesses:

A. L. MORSELL, ANNA F. SoHMm'rBAUnR. 

